Surveying Services

RICS Home Survey Level 2

The traditional, paper based, home survey report.

  • Prices for the RICS home survey level 2 start at £438.90*

  • Voted Best Surveying Service Provider 2018-2022

What is a RICS Home Survey Level 2?

One of the most common choices for a standard, paper based house survey is a Home Survey Level 2 (often referred to as a “homebuyer report”).  This type of survey is ideal when buying a conventional house, flat or bungalow, which is built from common building materials and is in reasonable condition, and you would like information and advice on construction, condition and repairs. However, unlike the Digital Home Survey, the level 2 survey report is not presented in a digital format and will not allow you to contact contractors from the report itself.

The level 2 survey report uses a clear ‘traffic light’ ratings system to describe the condition rating of the property’s main features (such as glazing, roof, electrics, exterior..).

You can get a quote and purchase your survey online today.

If you require any further support, you can call us on 0345 200 2046
9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

We may record and monitor calls

RICS Home Survey Level 2 details

What is included in the RICS Level 2 survey?

You should choose an RICS Home Survey Level 2 if you are thinking of buying a conventional house, flat or bungalow which was built after 1890 from common building materials and appears to be in reasonable condition, and you would like information and advice on construction, condition and repairs.

The report will provide detail on the condition of the various elements of the property, which you’ll find invaluable when assessing whether or not it’s right for you. 

  • Be an informed buyer with the details of disrepair and other problems that the surveyor considers may affect the value of the property
  • Information on location and the local environment will give you a broader understanding of the area
  • Comment on any discrepancies in the EPC assessment will help you plan any future improvements

What you’ll learn from your RICS Level 2 Survey

Our RICS surveyor will have a broad knowledge of your chosen area, types of local property, and issues to look out for. You can trust their detailed assessment to give you confidence by being completely sure of what you’re buying.

During the inspection the surveyor will look over the roof, walls, pipes, timber, and and other visible aspects of the home to check for significant defects. The report is in a standard paper format and uses an easy-to-follow Condition Rating system:

  • Condition rating 3 - Defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired, replaced or investigated urgently.
  • Condition rating 2 - Defects that need repairing or replacing but are not considered to be either serious or urgent.
  • Condition rating 1 - No repair is currently needed

View a sample report

The Home Survey Level 2 provides an account of the property’s condition and highlights significant problems with straightforward ratings. Take a look at a dummy report to explore all the features and functionalities.

You're in safe hands

Legal & General Surveying Services has been in business for over 20 years. We’re a wholly owned subsidiary of Legal & General - one of the top FTSE 100 companies and a leading provider of financial services in the UK. We're regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). 

Choosing us means you can be confident that:

  • The surveyor preparing your report will be locally based - giving you local knowledge and experience
  • You’ll be buying your property with the key facts you need to make an informed decision
  • You’re dealing with an experienced company that has the backing of a financially strong, globally recognised brand in Legal & General.

With these credentials, you know you are in safe hands!

Why do you need a survey?

We understand that when you are buying a new home you want to make every penny count. It might be tempting to assume that a simple mortgage valuation will provide you with the reassurance you need regarding the condition of the property and future maintenance liabilities, but that’s not what it is intended for and you could be faced with significant unplanned repair costs. Buying a home can be one of the biggest financial commitments you are likely to make so it is important to know as much as you can about the property you are thinking of purchasing.

Frequently asked questions

The RICS Level 2 Survey is a house report, compiled after a physical inspection of a property by a surveyor, which provides home buyers with more in depth information on the condition of the property compared to a valuation report. The survey aims to give you professional advice to make an informed decision on whether to go ahead with buying the property, take into account any repairs or replacements the property needs, and consider what further advice you should take before committing to purchasing the property. 

The surveyor inspects the inside and outside of the main building, and all permanent outbuildings. This inspection is intended to cover as much of the property as is physically accessible. The surveyor will not lift up fitted carpets, fitted floor coverings or floorboards.

The RICS Level 2 Survey level of reporting is geared for standard properties that haven’t been extensively altered of extended, are in reasonable condition and built in approximately the last 130 years.

Should the surveyors encounter any defects that require expensive repairs, it doesn’t automatically mean you shouldn’t purchase the property. Should the seller not wish to address the reported issues, you could use the report as a renegotiation tool, asking for the price of the property to reflect the cost of the repairs. By decreasing the purchase price, you will have the money to do the repairs by someone that you choose

Our Survey process

Mother and son

Step 1 - Get a quote

The first step is to answer our short online questionnaire. If the property is suitable for a Home survey level 2, you can proceed online and purchase the survey directly. Once the survey has been purchased, we'll contact the seller of the property you are purchasing within 24 hours and arrange a date to visit the property.

Row of houses

Step 2 - Assessment

Once the survey has been booked for a convenient time, just sit tight. Our expert RICS surveyors will inspect the property as quickly as possible and will keep you informed throughout the process.

Man reading document

Step 3 - The report

You should receive the report within 5 working days of survey completion. If any defects or issues are uncovered during the survey, you can choose to reflect the cost of the repairs in the property price

Ready to get a Home survey?

If you require any further support, you can call us on 0345 200 2046
9am to 5pm Monday to Friday

We may record and monitor calls

*Prices are inclusive of VAT. The cost of our Home Survey Level 2 starts from £438.90. Quotes will vary depending on the survey type and property purchase price.